It’s November, which means it’s time for people across the UK to call up their neighbours, pull on their wellies, and huddle together on a communal patch of grass to watch an often-underwhelming firework display.
For many, Bonfire Night is synonymous with a childhood poem: “Remember, Remember the 5th of November,” etched into the nation’s memory since primary school.
However, you might not be aware of the origins of the poem, which retells the story of Guy Fawkes’ terrorist attempt that took place over four centuries ago in London.
What are the words to the ‘Remember, Remember’ poem?
Records show the first version of the On the Fifth of November poem dates back to 1926, and there have been a variety of versions published over time – each reflecting different dialects and eras.
Archival website Poem of the Week gives this version of the traditional verse:
Remember, remember!
The fifth of November,
The Gunpowder treason and plot;
I know of no reason
Why the Gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot!
Guy Fawkes and his companions
Did the scheme contrive,
To blow the King and Parliament
All up alive.
Threescore barrels, laid below,
To prove old England’s overthrow.
But, by God’s providence, him they catch,
With a dark lantern, lighting a match!
A stick and a stake
For King James’s sake!
If you won’t give me one,
I’ll take two,
The better for me,
And the worse for you.
A rope, a rope, to hang the Pope,
A penn’orth of cheese to choke him,
A pint of beer to wash it down,
And a jolly good fire to burn him.
Holloa, boys! holloa, boys! make the bells ring!
Holloa, boys! holloa boys! God save the King!
Hip, hip, hooor-r-r-ray!
More on Bonfire Night
What are the origins of the poem?
The traditional “On the Fifth of November” poem was first written by famous poet John Milton in 1626 in Cambridge. It was originally an epic poem, written in Latin and titled “In Quintum Novembris”.
The poem commemorates the anniversary of the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605, when a small group of Catholic plotters threatened to change the course of history.
In early 1606, an act was passed designating 5 November as a date of thanksgiving, with bonfires and fireworks settled upon as a suitably fitting commemoration.
What was the Gunpowder Plot?
Led by charismatic religious fanatic Robert Catesby, with the help of radicalised ex-soldier Guido (or Guy) Fawkes, the terrorists hatched a plan to blow up King James I along with the Prince of Wales and the Houses of Parliament.
The plot grew out of decades of religious war dating back to the reign of Henry VIII at the start of the previous century, with the Catholics’ disillusionment reaching boiling point after James succeeded Elizabeth in 1603.
Guy Fawkes was recruited by Catesby to take charge of the operation in the spring of 1604 and the plotters began digging a mine beneath Parliament in the summer.